sbhatt

I was really happy with Plekanec finishing tonight...but I've seen him blow too many quality chances set up by Kovalev up to this point to let him off the hook just yet. I don't expect him to bury a super-high percentage of chances, as I realize he's not that type of player. I do expect him to bag his fair share of the easy shots tho...which he did tonight. Let's see if it continues.

Plekanec...finishes a chance set up by Kovalev. Twice. In the same game. You know you've got a chance to win when... Dare I even speculate that Plekanec might gain a little confidence from this and do it more often? Man...I don't know how to end this post even...in a bit of shock. Happy...but in shock.

Ryder just keeps looking worse and worse. If Carbo hasn't pulled him aside for a one-on-one meeting thus far, that should be the first order of business tomorrow.

It'd be nice to see a good first period for a change. This trend of trying to play out of a hole has got to stop!

It's like a broken record, but as the games roll on, the need just gets more and more obvious: a second line center that has offensive ability!!! Do that, and Samsonov and Kovalev will produce...and with that going on, this team will kick ass.

I agree with the notion that our forwards were bad pretty much from top to bottom....just a couple of exceptions there. D-men were chasing after cycling Tampa players and unable to clear the puck all too often. Just a pitiful effort by the Habs...Carbo must have wanted to puke.

I'd like to see Lapierre get an audition between Kovalev and Samsonov...even if it's just one game....just to see what happens.

definitely a size mismatch...but like you said...gotta respect that.

Souray with a gravy goal...I just can't be happy about it tho after the way Rivet screwed them out of a shutout.

Don't blame the ref on that last one....Rivet delivered a stick to the face...that's a penalty every time.

That bastard Rivet....just when I thought it wasn't possible for me to want to see him gone any more than I already did. That was as selfish a penalty as I have seen a habs take in a VERY long time!!!

Someone on one of the top two lines needs to pop a gravy goal in the 3rd. Come on!!!

He's an average setup man at best, and he can't score for beans. This guy puts the puck right into the middle of the goalie's chest at least 9/10 times. Second year or not, he's just not a scorer...and he isn't a good enough playmaker to warrant second line status.

If he was a fighter, that would have been a compliment. But, he's not a fighter...and he's not Ronnie Garvin (a little reference for you wrestling fans out there)...so....you know.

Hmmm....perceptive, you are. Strong in the ways of the force, are you!

Amen!

Jan 'Freakin' Hrdina has a hell of a lot more offensive talent than Thomas 'Hands of Stone' Plekanec.

You'd like to see the Leafs doing well???!!! Okay, that's it...someone tell the bartender that shortcat1 is CUT OFF!

I was convinced we needed to trade for a second line center...and I still think Plekanec stinks there. However, given what Maxim Lapierre showed during his call-up, I think he warrants an audition in the second line center role before we look at a trade.

Adding up last season and this season to date: Kovalev - 90pts, 103 games = .87 points per game Koivu - 96pts, 106 games = .91 points per game So, by your logic, Koivu's production isn't worthy of his contract value either...so I suppose we should be looking to run him out of town too? What I think some people fail to realize is that neither of these guys has an ideal linemate to work with. While Higgins is good, and getting better all the time, there's no doubt in my mind that Koivu would rack up more points if he had say a Dany Heatley on the wing to bury his setups. Just as I'm sure Alex Kovalev would be filling the net if he had a quality offensive center to set him up properly...and bury some of the setups that Kovy delivers (Plekanec has hands of stone...give me a break). For what they have been given to work with, both guys produce just fine...and in case you haven't noticed, the Habs are kicking ass. Golden Rule: If it ain't broke...don't fix it!

That insurance goal feels pretty damn good....

I wouldn't mind seeing the Habs chuck both Downey and Murray. The 'kids' can play...let em play!!!

Huge win....Buffalo is going to be sweating, knowing the Habs are nipping at their heels for 1st place.

Lapierre and Latendresse look good out there together...monster forecheck line!

If Plekanec is still the second line center next season, then we've got problems.